From Seven Figures to Freedom: What Erik Smolinski Learned About Building Real Wealth

Who Is Erik Smolinski and Why Should You Listen?

Meet a Marine Corps veteran turned full-time trader who built a verified seven-figure net worth over nearly two decades. Erik Smolinski isn’t your typical financial guru spouting complex theories—he’s someone who actually walked the walk. Now in his early thirties, Smolinski has become a case study in what it takes to achieve genuine financial independence. His secret? There’s no secret, just disciplined execution of a few core principles.

Why Most People Fail at Wealth Building (And How to Avoid It)

Smolinski credits his early start to a high school teacher who planted a simple idea: invest your part-time job earnings. He listened, and never stopped. What he discovered over the years is that wealth accumulation isn’t about finding the next big opportunity—it’s about mastering the fundamentals that actually compound over time.

According to Smolinski’s conversations with Business Insider, here are the three non-negotiable moves if you’re serious about growing your net worth in 2026:

Strategy #1: Stop Bleeding Money Every Month

The math is simple: if you want to build wealth, you need to keep more of what you earn. Smolinski’s baseline recommendation? Cut your monthly spending by 10% and redirect those funds straight into your investment account.

This doesn’t mean drastic lifestyle changes. Real talk: if you’re paying for both Netflix and Disney Plus, why not cancel one? That alone could add hundreds to your investment portfolio annually. “The sooner you’re willing to delay gratification,” Smolinski explains, “the less you’ll have to do it later.”

The psychology here matters. Small wins compound. A 10% reduction in spending feels achievable—not like you’re depriving yourself into the ground.

Strategy #2: Think Three to Five Years Ahead

Here’s where most investors stumble: they react to the present instead of anticipating the future. Smolinski flips this by asking himself regularly: Where will the world be in three to five years?

His personal thesis? People and companies will keep innovating. The question becomes: which sectors will capture the most value from that innovation? He’s bullish on artificial intelligence, for instance, because he sees it reshaping how value gets created across industries.

This forward-thinking approach means you’re not buying what’s hot today—you’re buying what’ll matter tomorrow. Your portfolio should reflect your honest predictions about where opportunity concentrates, not where it currently sits.

Strategy #3: Make More Money, Not Just Save It

Here’s the reality check Smolinski doesn’t shy away from: saving is the foundation, but it’s not the fast track. To accelerate wealth building, especially early on, you need to increase what’s coming in, not just reduce what’s going out.

The question he poses to himself? “What can I do to earn significantly more?” Until you’re close to your financial goals, this should be top priority.

Two practical paths: negotiate a raise or promotion at your current gig, or start a side operation. Either way, higher income means more capital to compound. And compounding is where the real wealth magic happens.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Actually Works

Smolinski’s three-pillar approach—save aggressively, think ahead, maximize income—creates a momentum loop. Higher earnings give you more to invest. Strategic investments compound faster. Compound growth accelerates your timeline to financial independence.

Once you hit that threshold, everything changes. Financial freedom isn’t just about having money—it’s about getting your time and energy back. Smolinski calls it “finally getting to do what actually matters to you.”

The path isn’t mysterious. It just requires consistency and the willingness to make small trades today for bigger returns tomorrow.